All about the beta testing world

I've beta'd for a lot of companies I think. Checking software, seeing where it is going wrong, making sure to post as many details as I can with my PC specs and how the heck I made it mess up. These things are very important to a developing team. If the team is large enough, the bug itself get's sent to certain section of the team and they ponder away on it. So now we are in beta testing world. Not that I have never built an app before, or been part of a team that has, but this is my biggest so far I think. Got an app built, we played with it, had fun, didn't find any real bugs and let the testers go at it. In one day there are already over 20 bugs and suggestions of improvement (all put together).

This doesn't really amaze me as much as overwhelm me. Bug squishing is not a fun job, unless you're the type that really likes it... I'm not. But I do like to solve puzzles and riddles so it's not so bad. The biggest problem I have found so far is that it's sometimes hard to figure out if it's your own bug or the software you are using to build the app.

We currently are using Flash and Screenweaver (tried Flash Studio Pro but it sucks badly..the built app crashes everytime it's launched...I do not suggest using this software) for a desktop app. It's fun to put together and harness the power of both pieces of software (combined with FCS of course :D ) but there sure are some weird quirky things that go on depending on the settings you use.

One thing that I'll mention here, is to never set the cursor to anything. If you do that, it'll never go back. For example, you set the cursor to the help cursor (little question mark next to the arrow) when rolling over a button maybe. When rolling off you set it back to the arrow right? The problem is that it never changes back to the little hand when rolling over buttons... bummer.. thought we could add in some neat cursor work. Instead that'll have to be done inside of flash I suppose.

This has definitely given me a much greater respect of the hard working fellows taking a look at beta remarks and implementing them into the application. Can't wait to get this app out, lots of work but seeing a high quality application go out your door into the world is a very neat feeling.

Posted by Graeme at January 20, 2004 04:20 PM